Disney Illusion Island review – immune to its own charm

D isney Illusion Island initially feels as though it is going to be a bright romp through a magical landscape, starring the beloved quartet of Disney mainstays – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Surely we would follow them anywhere, iconic as they are. However, from the opening scene, it’s clear that the sweetness and delight associated with Disney stories is strangely absent.

The writing is immediately off-putting: dry, cynical remarks pepper the dialogue, seemingly intended as ironic, but coming across as jaded and undercutting any sense of playfulness or wonder. This jarring tone is disappointing: from the outset the game is operating at a distance from itself. For example, the magic words Mickey et al must use to defeat the end of level bosses are “Tee Be Dee” – to be determined.

Even the heroes themselves clock this as arbitrary. It might be a funny jab if it was a one-off joke, but the whole narrative is hung around an overwrought self-awareness that we are on a constructed mission with conveniently placed help – and peril – set up along the way. Some games manage this ironic distance elegantly and with heart – Paper Mario: The Origami King comes to mind – but in this instance, it becomes tiresome quite quickly.

Playing alone, you are offered the choice of protagonist. I choose Donald, who looks weirdly small in the large screen designed for four player use. There is an ease to the movement – the jumps are pleasing, the over-used wall-jump and float recalling Rayman – balanced out by challenging level design (considerately, you can pick a difficulty level to head off frustration).

There is no violence, which is a lovely approach; however, the hostile creatures you must avoid are bland and constantly repeat. There is little variety in what we see on-screen, making it possible to get completely lost. Levels are indistinct – the pastel background illustrations are populated sparsely by repeated, decorative characters.

There is no visual diversity of any kind: for the first few hours, we see the same recurring green and blue little creatures to avoid over and over again. This lack of originality or attention to detail is dispiriting, especially given the stylistic opportunities offered by this 2D animation look. It lacks any of the charm of Spiritfarer, or the lush vintage feel of Cuphead ; the world feels empty and dull, an enormous, labyrinthine map full of very similar screens and platforms.

The music is a highlight, however – orchestrated, rich and varied in a way that makes the journey more pleasant, even when the gameplay is repetitive, or the dialogue is wearing. This is a solid party game, best split among a group, but when played alone it feels empty. At best, Disney Illusion Island has touches of Celeste and Rayman, but lacks their heart and depth.

Bringing people together to play the quest with you is the best approach here, as there is some fun to be had – despite the game’s cynical skewering of its own charm. Disney Illusion Island is out 28 July; £34. 99.

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